Backpack security system

ABSTRACT

A backpack security system helps prevent unauthorized access to the contents of a backpack through the use of a concealed mount fastener, and a visible decoy exposed fastener that actuates an alert signal when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated. The mount fastener positions between a wearer and the backpack, such that access to the mount fastener is not visible and inaccessible while mounted to the back of the wearer. The decoy exposed fastener operatively connects to an alarm device. The alarm device transmits both audible signals and wireless silent signals to alert to unauthorized manipulation of the backpack. The audible signal is transmitted when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated. The silent signal is wirelessly transmitted to a wearer and/or a remote receiver when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated.

BACKGROUND

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The present invention is directed to a backpack security system that helps prevent unauthorized access to the contents of a backpack through the use of a concealed mount fastener, and a visible decoy exposed fastener that actuates an alert signal when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated.

The inventor knew that backpacks are worn by travelers, students, hikers, etc., and are usually held in position by a pair of vertically oriented straps passing around the shoulders of the wearer. The free ends of each strap are usually joined together by a buckle, so that the length of each strap can be adjusted and the back pack rests comfortably upon the back of the wearer. The inventor also knew that usually, zippers and similar fastening mechanisms enable access to the interior of the backpack.

The inventor recognized a problem in that the zippers faced away from the wearer, and thus were easily accessible by thieves and other unauthorized people, even while the backpack was mounted on the wearer.

Through additional research, the inventor learned that the zippers could be made into decoy zippers by not connecting them to the interior of the backpack. The inventor decided to integrate real zippers into the side of the backpack that rests against the back of the wearer. This restricted visibility and access to the functional zippers while the backpack was adorned, and thus provided additional security.

However, the inventor learned that thieves still attempted to access the decoy zippers. The inventor learned that an alarm could be used to scare away the potential thieves or unauthorized users of the backpack. The inventor operatively connected a trigger to the decoy zipper. The trigger actuated an audible signal, such as a horn, a beep, or a human voice recording. This worked to scare away the unauthorized user.

Unfortunately, this also jeopardized the safety of the wearer. The inventor decided to further include a silent signal that was discretely transmitted to the wearer and/or a remote receiver. The silent signal was not apparent to the unauthorized user. In this manner, the wearer could escape the situation without alerting the unauthorized user that the theft or unauthorized access was known. Also, a third party could be alerted, so as to apprehend the unauthorized user more effectively.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a backpack security system that utilizes visual concealment and alert signals to protect the contents of a backpack.

Security devices on containers and backpacks have been utilized in the past; yet none with the characteristics of the present invention. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,998; 7,422,131; and 20050199658.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a backpack security system that conceals a functional zipper against the back of a wearer and displays decoy zippers that transmit both audible alerts and silent alerts when manipulated by an unauthorized user.

SUMMARY

The present invention describes a backpack security system that helps prevent unauthorized access to the contents of a backpack through the use of a concealed mount fastener, and a visible decoy exposed fastener that actuates an alert signal when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated. The mount fastener positions between a wearer and the backpack, such that access to the mount fastener is not visible and inaccessible while mounted to the back of the wearer. The decoy exposed fastener operatively connects to an alarm device. The alarm device transmits both audible signals and wireless silent signals to alert to unauthorized manipulation of the backpack. The audible signal is transmitted when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated. The silent signal is wirelessly transmitted to a wearer and/or a remote receiver when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated. The storage, carrying, and mounting functions of the backpack are not affected by the security functions.

The backpack security system, hereafter, “system”, provides a backpack that is known in the art to be mounted on the back of a wearer for carrying a variety of items. The backpack is defined by a mount panel, an exposed panel, a base panel, and a pair of side panels that form the general shape of the backpack. In one embodiment, a pair of shoulder straps enable the backpack to be mounted onto the back of the wearer. The backpack is adorned, such that the mount panel engages the back of the wearer when adorned, and the exposed panel is both visible and accessible from behind the wearer.

The backpack utilizes at least one mount fastener to access the contents in the cavity of the backpack. In some embodiments, the mount fastener may include, without limitation, a zipper, a zip, a fly, and a zip fastener. In one embodiment, the at least one mount fastener is disposed on the mount panel. The mount fastener may be opened and closed to access the contents in the cavity of the backpack. The backpack relies on the interaction between the mount panel of the backpack and the back of the wearer to conceal and restrict access to the at least one mount fastener.

The exposed panel of the backpack includes at least one decoy exposed fastener. In one embodiment, the decoy exposed fastener is a decoy fastener that resembles a tab of a zipper. However, the decoy exposed fastener does not enable access to the cavity of the backpack. The decoy exposed fastener is operatively connected to an alarm device. The alarm device comprises a trigger. The trigger is actuated when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated.

In one embodiment, the trigger operatively connects to a speaker on the backpack. The speaker emits an audible signal when the trigger is manipulated. In this manner, the wearer, the unauthorized user, and surrounding persons are audibly made aware of the unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener.

In another embodiment, the trigger operatively connects to a transmitter. In operation, when the decoy exposed fastener is manipulated by the unauthorized person, the trigger actuates the transmitter to wirelessly transmit a silent signal to the wearer and/or to a remote receiver. However, the silent signal is not audible to the unauthorized user, only to the wearer with the mounted backpack and the remote receiver. In this manner, the unauthorized user is not aware that an alert has been transmitted or that the wearer is aware of the unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener. The silent signal may include, without limitation, a text, a message, a phone call, and a vibration. The transmitter may include, without limitation, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and satellite.

In one alternative embodiment, at least one auxiliary fastener may be used to regulate access to the cavity of the backpack. The auxiliary fastener may include a zipper near the base panel and the mount panel.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a backpack that protects against unauthorized manipulation of the fasteners, zippers, flaps, and openings in the backpack.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a mount fastener, such as a zipper, that is not accessible or visible while the backpack is adorned on the back of a wearer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a decoy exposed fastener, such as a zipper, that looks like a real zipper, but is in fact a decoy and does not provide access to the cavity in the backpack.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a speaker on the backpack that emits a loud audible signal when the trigger is engaged through unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a transmitter that wirelessly emits a silent signal to the wearer and/or remote receiver to indicate unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture backpack that stores items and protects against unauthorized manipulation by unauthorized users.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a backpack security system that is easy to use.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary backpack, showing the mount panel with an exemplary mount fastener; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backpack, showing the exposed panel with an exemplary decoy exposed fastener having an exemplary trigger that actuates an alarm portion.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a backpack security system 100 that helps prevent unauthorized access to the contents of a backpack 102 through the use of at least one mount fastener 112 that is concealed and inaccessible while the backpack 102 is mounted, and at least one decoy exposed fastener 114 that is visible and actuates an alert signal when manipulated by an unauthorized user. The mount fastener 112 positions between a wearer and the backpack 102, such that access to the mount fastener 112 is not visible and inaccessible while mounted to the back of the wearer. The decoy exposed fastener 114 operatively connects to an alarm device 116.

The alarm device 116 is operatively connected to the decoy exposed fastener 114, such that unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener 114 triggers an alert signal. The alarm device 116 transmits both audible signals and wireless silent signals to alert to unauthorized manipulation of the backpack 102. The audible signal is transmitted when the decoy exposed fastener 114 is manipulated. The silent signal is wirelessly transmitted to a wearer and/or a remote receiver when the decoy exposed fastener 114 is manipulated.

The audible signal is configured to alert a wearer with the mounted backpack 102 and an unauthorized user who is manipulating the backpack 102 to the known manipulation. The silent signal alerts the wearer and a remote receiver to the known manipulation. Through the silent signal, the unauthorized user is not aware that an alert signal has been transmitted or that it is known that the backpack 102 is being manipulated.

In addition to providing the alerts as a security feature, the backpack 102 security system 100 further utilizes visual deception and concealment of at least one mount fastener 112 that positions between a wearer and the fasteners. The mount fastener 112 is a real fastening mechanism that regulates access to the backpack 102. However, when mounted by the wearer, access to the mount fastener 112 is not visible or inaccessible, as it is sandwiched between the back of the wearer and the mount panel 104. This forms a visual deception feature to the security. Further, the storage, carrying, and mounting functions of the backpack 102 are not affected by the security functions.

The backpack security system 100, hereafter, “system 100”, provides a backpack 102 that is known in the art to be mounted on the back of a wearer for carrying a variety of items. The backpack 102 may be flexible, so as to contain at least one item. The item may include, without limitation, a laptop, books, tools, instruments, and hygiene products. Suitable materials for the backpack 102 may include, without limitation, canvas, leather, polyurethane coated nylon, flexible polymers, and a nonwoven material. The backpack 102 may also be waterproof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the backpack 102 is defined by a mount panel 104, an exposed panel 108, a base panel 110, and a pair of side panels 106 a, 106 b that form the general shape of the backpack 102. In one embodiment, a pair of shoulder straps 120 enable the backpack 102 to be mounted onto the back of the wearer. The shoulder straps 120 may include free ends that are usually joined together by a buckle, so that the length of each strap can be adjusted and the backpack 102 rests comfortably upon the back of the wearer.

While mounted with the shoulder straps 120, the mount panel 104 engages the back of the wearer, and the exposed panel 108 facers away from the wearer. Thus, the backpack 102 is adorned, such that the mount panel 104 engages the back of the wearer and is not visible or accessible when adorned, and the exposed panel 108 is both visible and accessible from behind the wearer.

In some embodiments, the backpack 102 utilizes at least one mount fastener 112 to access the contents in the cavity of the backpack 102. In some embodiments, the mount fastener 112 may include, without limitation, a zipper, a zip, a fly, and a zip fastener. Though in other embodiments, the mount fastener 112 further includes, without limitation, a snap, a buckle, a lock, a latch, a pin, a tack, a staple, a sew, and a stitch. In any case, the mount fastener 112 enables access and closure of the backpack 102.

In one embodiment, the at least one mount fastener 112 is disposed on the mount panel 104. The mount fastener 112 may be oriented along the length of the mount panel 104, across the mount panel 104, or diagonally on the mount panel 104. The mount fastener 112 may be opened and closed to access the contents in the cavity of the backpack 102. In one exemplary use, the at least one mount fastener 112, encircles the mount panel 104 in a horizontal, or vertical direction, and is opened to provide access to the cavity of the backpack 102.

As referenced in FIG. 1, the mount fastener 112 is a zipper with a tab and a plurality of teeth. The backpack 102 relies on the interaction between the mount panel 104 of the backpack 102 and the back of the wearer to conceal and restrict access to the at least one mount fastener 112. In this manner, an unauthorized user cannot easily see or access the mount fastener 112 while the backpack 102 is mounted on the back of the wearer.

Looking now at FIG. 2, the exposed panel 108 of the backpack 102 further includes at least one decoy exposed fastener 114. In one embodiment, the decoy exposed fastener 114 is a decoy fastener that resembles a zipper, and specifically the tab and the teeth of a zipper. However, the decoy exposed fastener 114 does not enable access to the cavity of the backpack 102.

The decoy exposed fastener 114 is operatively connected to an alarm device 116, such that unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener 114 actuates an alert to such. The alarm device 116 comprises a trigger. The trigger is actuated when the decoy exposed fastener 114 is manipulated in an unauthorized manner. In one embodiment, the trigger includes a button, a pressure sensor, or other triggering mechanism that can be configured to actuate the alarm device 116 at a predetermined threshold when the decoy exposed fastener 114 is manipulated.

In one embodiment, the trigger operatively connects to a speaker on the backpack 102. The speaker emits an audible signal when the trigger is actuated. In this manner, the wearer, the unauthorized user, and surrounding persons are audibly made aware of the unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener 114. The audible signal may include, without limitation, a siren, a beep, a human voice, a light, and a ring tone.

In another embodiment, the trigger operatively connects to a transmitter. In operation, when the decoy exposed fastener 114 is manipulated by the unauthorized person, the trigger actuates the transmitter to wirelessly transmit a silent signal to the wearer and/or to a remote receiver. However, the silent signal is not audible to the unauthorized user, only to the wearer with the mounted backpack 102 and the remote receiver. In this manner, the unauthorized user is not aware that an alert has been transmitted or that the wearer is aware of the unauthorized manipulation of the decoy exposed fastener 114.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the silent signal enables the wearer with the mounted backpack 102 to move away from the unauthorized user without alerting the unauthorized user about the alert. The remote receiver may include a police station, a parent, and a security organization. The wearer and the remote receiver may be in communication with each other in regards to the unauthorized manipulation of the backpack 102. The silent signal may include, without limitation, a text, a message, a phone call, and a vibration. The transmitter may include, without limitation, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and satellite.

In one alternative embodiment, the backpack 102 further includes at least one auxiliary fastener 118 that is used to regulate access to the cavity of the backpack 102. The auxiliary fastener 118 may include a zipper near the base panel 110 and the mount panel 104. The auxiliary fastener 118 may provide access to the cavity of the backpack 102, and specifically for less important items.

While the inventor's above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the alarm device transmits the silent signal to a police station only. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backpack security system for preventing unauthorized manipulation of a backpack, the system comprises: a backpack, the backpack comprising a mount panel, an exposed panel, a base panel, a pair of side panels, and a cavity formed within the panels; at least one mount fastener, the at least one mount fastener disposed on the mount panel, the at least one mount fastener configured to open and close for regulating access to the cavity of the backpack; at least one decoy exposed fastener, the at least one decoy exposed fastener disposed on the exposed panel, the at least one decoy exposed fastener configured to be visible from the exposed panel, the at least one decoy exposed fastener comprising a trigger; and an alarm device, the alarm device configured to be operatively connected to the trigger of the at least one decoy exposed fastener, the alarm device configured to transmit a signal when the trigger is manipulated, wherein manipulation of the at least one decoy exposed fastener actuates the trigger for transmitting the signal, and wherein manipulation of the at least one mount fastener regulates access to the cavity of the backpack.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount panel of the backpack is configured to be mounted on the back of a wearer through a pair of shoulder straps.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one mount fastener is disposed between the back of the wearer and the mount panel while the backpack is mounted.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one mount fastener is an operable zipper.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one decoy exposed fastener is a decoy zipper.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one decoy exposed fastener comprises a tab and a plurality of teeth.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the trigger is integrated into the tab.
 8. The system of claim 7, further including a speaker, the speaker configured to operatively connect to the trigger.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the speaker is configured to transmit an audible signal.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the audible signal includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a siren, a beep, a human voice, a light, and a ring tone.
 11. The system of claim 10, further including a transmitter, the transmitter configured to operatively connect to the trigger.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a silent signal to a wearer and/or a remote receiver.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the transmitter includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and satellite.
 14. A backpack security system for preventing unauthorized manipulation of a backpack, the system comprises: a backpack, the backpack comprising a mount panel, an exposed panel, a base panel, a pair of side panels, and a cavity formed within the panels; at least one mount fastener, the at least one mount fastener disposed on the mount panel, the at least one mount fastener configured to open and close for regulating access to the cavity of the backpack; at least one decoy exposed fastener, the at least one decoy exposed fastener disposed on the exposed panel, the at least one decoy exposed fastener configured to be visible from the exposed panel, the at least one decoy exposed fastener comprising a trigger; an alarm device, the alarm device configured to be operatively connected to the trigger of the at least one decoy exposed fastener, the alarm device configured to transmit an audible signal when the trigger is manipulated, wherein manipulation of the at least one decoy exposed fastener actuates the trigger for transmitting the audible signal, and wherein manipulation of the at least one mount fastener regulates access to the cavity of the backpack; and a speaker, the speaker configured to operatively connect to the trigger, the speaker configured to transmit the audible signal.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the audible signal includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a siren, a beep, a human voice, and a ring tone.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one decoy exposed fastener is a decoy zipper.
 17. A backpack security system for preventing unauthorized manipulation of a backpack, the system comprises: a backpack, the backpack comprising a mount panel, an exposed panel, a base panel, a pair of side panels, and a cavity formed within the panels; at least one mount fastener, the at least one mount fastener disposed on the mount panel, the at least one mount fastener configured to open and close for regulating access to the cavity of the backpack; at least one decoy exposed fastener, the at least one decoy exposed fastener disposed on the exposed panel, the at least one decoy exposed fastener configured to be visible from the exposed panel, the at least one decoy exposed fastener comprising a trigger; an alarm device, the alarm device configured to be operatively connected to the trigger of the at least one decoy exposed fastener, the alarm device configured to transmit a silent signal when the trigger is manipulated, wherein manipulation of the at least one decoy exposed fastener actuates the trigger for transmitting the silent signal through the alarm device, and wherein manipulation of the at least one mount fastener regulates access to the cavity of the backpack; and a transmitter, the transmitter configured to operatively connect to the trigger, the transmitter configured to transmit the silent signal.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the silent signal is transmitted to the wearer and/or a remote receiver.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmitter includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and satellite.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one decoy exposed fastener is a decoy zipper. 